Gillespie poised to retire from first-class cricket

Jason Gillespie has told the Western Mail he is ready to retire from first-class cricket at the end of the season.

Gillespie, who retired from state cricket in Australia at the end of 2007-08, has made 11 appearances for Glamorgan this summer in between injuries, taking 21 wickets at 34.61, although he has done better in one-day cricket. The county have already announced Herschelle Gibbs will replace him in 2009.

"It is probably going to be my last couple of weeks in first-class cricket," Gillespie told the newspaper. "If it is going to be my swansong, I am pretty content with that."

Gillespie did not rule out occasional appearances next year "if Matt Maynard asked me to come back ... as cover" but he said that would be the extent of it.

"I won't be playing first-class cricket anywhere else. It will either be having another short stint with Glamorgan or nothing at all.

"I have still got three years left with the Indian Cricket League and will play beach cricket in Australia."